# Aircraft Tracker API (ADS-B) - Approach & Military Alerts (`centorprat/aircraft-tracker-adsb`) Actor

Live aircraft tracker (ADS-B) around any lat/lon: each aircraft's callsign, type, altitude, speed, distance, closest approach (CPA) and ETA, with inbound, military and unidentified flags. Use it to answer "what is flying near X right now?". Keyless; webhook alerts.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/centorprat/aircraft-tracker-adsb.md
- **Developed by:** [Centor Prat](https://apify.com/centorprat) (community)
- **Categories:** Travel, Developer tools
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 88.9% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

from $13.00 / 1,000 aircraft returneds

This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events.
Since this Actor supports Apify Store discounts, the price gets lower the higher subscription plan you have.

Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/actors/running/actors-in-store.md#pay-per-event

## What's an Apify Actor?

An Actor is a serverless cloud program that runs on the Apify platform. It has two run modes.
In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours,
and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store.
In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server.

Apify vocabulary and the platform model are defined once, in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md.

## How to integrate an Actor?

If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects.
You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready.

Do not guess an integration path. Every one of them is in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md: the Apify MCP server, Agent Skills with the Apify CLI, the JavaScript and Python clients, the REST API, and the account-free path for an agent with no human to sign in. It also carries the rule on stating cost before the first paid run.

For examples already wired to this Actor's own input schema, see the [API](#api) section below.

Each client library has reference documentation the quickstart does not restate: [JavaScript/TypeScript](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md) (`npm install apify-client`) and [Python](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md) (`pip install apify-client`).

# README

## ✈️ Aircraft Tracker API (ADS-B): Approach & Military Alerts

**Not another ADS-B dump — a computed answer.** For any point, this returns the aircraft that are
**approaching it** — with **closest-approach distance + ETA**, bearing, and **military / unidentified
("N/A") classification** — instead of raw positions you have to analyze yourself.

Headless · **keyless** · structured JSON out · built for AI agents.

### ⚡ Why it's different

Raw scrapers give you lat/long. This one computes **where each plane is going**: closest point of
approach, minutes until it gets there, which side it passes, and whether it's **military or
unidentified** (by hex block, callsign prefix, type code, or the feed's military flag).

### 📋 What you get (per aircraft)

| Field | Meaning |
|---|---|
| `hex`, `callsign`, `registration`, `type`, `country` | Identity |
| `category`, `isMilitary`, `isUnidentified` | `military` / `unidentified` / `civil` |
| `distanceKm`, `bearingDeg`, `bearingCompass` | Where it is now, relative to your point |
| `cpaKm`, `cpaEtaMin`, `cpaSide` | Closest approach: distance, minutes away, N/S of centerline |
| `approaching`, `inbound` | Getting closer? Will it breach your alert radius in time? |
| `altitudeFt`, `groundSpeedKt`, `trackDeg`, `elevationDeg` | Flight + viewing data |

### 📥 Input

| Field | Type | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| `latitude`, `longitude` | number | Your point (decimal degrees) |
| `radiusNm` | integer | Scan radius, nautical miles (max 250) |
| `category` | enum | `all` / `military` / `unidentified` / `military_or_unidentified` |
| `onlyApproaching` | boolean | Only aircraft getting closer |
| `inboundAlertKm`, `inboundMinutes` | integer | Flag `inbound` if it will pass within X km in Y min |
| `maxResults` | integer | Optional cap |
| `webhookUrl` | string | POST results here (Zapier/Make/n8n/custom) |

**Example input**

```json
{ "latitude": 40.4936, "longitude": -3.5668, "radiusNm": 120, "category": "all" }
```

### 📤 Output (one row per aircraft)

```json
{
  "hex": "34448d", "callsign": "IBS16LT", "type": "A320", "country": "Spain",
  "category": "civil", "isMilitary": false, "isUnidentified": false,
  "distanceKm": 38.9, "bearingDeg": 182.0, "bearingCompass": "S",
  "cpaKm": 24.9, "cpaEtaMin": 3.0, "cpaSide": "S", "approaching": true, "inbound": false,
  "altitudeFt": 11000, "groundSpeedKt": 320, "trackDeg": 191, "capturedAt": "2026-..."
}
```

### 💰 Pricing (pay-per-event menu)

- **`result`** — base, per aircraft returned.
- **`military-or-unidentified`** — premium, per military/unidentified contact (the high-value outcome).

### 💡 Use cases

- **Plane spotting / OSINT:** know when something — or something *military* — is heading your way.
- **Field / outdoor ops:** awareness of traffic approaching a site or airspace.
- **Agent tools:** one call gives an agent "what's inbound to this point and is it military", pre-computed.
- **Scheduled alerts:** watch a point and get pinged only on approaching/military contacts.

### 🔔 Alerts (scheduled)

Set filters (`category: military_or_unidentified`, `onlyApproaching: true`) + `webhookUrl`, add an
Apify **Schedule**, and get pinged only when something inbound/military appears.

### 🤖 For AI agents (MCP)

Keyless, one call → computed, structured results. Example MCP server config:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "aircraft-tracker-adsb": {
      "url": "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=actors,docs,centorprat/aircraft-tracker-adsb"
    }
  }
}
```

**Claude Code:** `claude mcp add --transport http apify "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=actors,docs,centorprat/aircraft-tracker-adsb" --header "Authorization: Bearer <YOUR_APIFY_TOKEN>"`

No extra setup: this Actor is callable from Claude, Cursor, ChatGPT or any MCP client through the Apify MCP server, and agents can find it on their own with the server's `search-actors` tool.

### 🚀 Ready-made tasks (one click)

Pre-configured runs for the most common jobs. Open one, change the input, run:

- [Military & Unidentified Aircraft Near a Location](https://apify.com/centorprat/aircraft-tracker-adsb/examples/military-aircraft-near-location): Live military and unidentified aircraft near any lat/lon from ADS-B: callsign, type, altitude, distance, closest approach and ETA. Alerts via webhook.
- [Aircraft Approaching an Airport (Live ADS-B)](https://apify.com/centorprat/aircraft-tracker-adsb/examples/aircraft-approaching-airport): Live list of aircraft approaching any airport or point, with closest approach, ETA and inbound flags from ADS-B data. Keyless.
- [Live Flights Over Any City (ADS-B)](https://apify.com/centorprat/aircraft-tracker-adsb/examples/live-flights-over-city): Every aircraft over a city right now: callsign, type, altitude, speed, distance and flags from live ADS-B. Keyless flight tracker API.

### ❓ FAQ

- **What if nothing is in range?** You get one free status row (`"status": "no_aircraft_in_range"`) instead of an empty dataset, so agents and scripts always get an explicit answer. It is not billed.
- **Do I need an API key?** No — it reads keyless open ADS-B data; you only pay the Actor's per-result fee.
- **How fresh is it?** Live aircraft positions at run time.
- **What's "unidentified"?** A transmitting aircraft with no registration/type/civil callsign — what shows as "N/A" on public trackers (often military).
- **How is military detected?** Hex block (e.g. US `AE…`, UK `43C…`), callsign prefix (RRR, RCH, GAF…), type code (C130, A400…), or the feed's `dbFlags`.
- **Why would a plane not appear?** It only shows if it transmits ADS-B/Mode-S and a volunteer receiver hears it; aircraft flying "dark" are invisible to every tracker.
- **What does `inbound` mean vs `approaching`?** `approaching` = getting closer; `inbound` = will pass within your alert km/min window.
- **Units?** Distances km, speed kt, altitude ft, radius nautical miles.
- **Is data stored?** No — fetched, computed, returned.
- **Commercial use?** Yes — data is from adsb.lol (ODbL open data); keep the attribution.

### 📜 Data & attribution

Aircraft data from **adsb.lol** (Open Database License, ODbL 1.0). Public data, computed and returned;
nothing stored.

### 🔗 Related actors

Part of one suite of keyless, agent-ready composers by the same developer:

- [Shopify Store Leads + App Audit (Reviews, Email, Pixels)](https://apify.com/centorprat/shopify-store-leads-app-audit): Shopify stores by niche, verified and audited for missing apps (reviews, email/SMS, upsell, loyalty, chat, subscriptions), pixels and theme: scored leads with emails.
- [Google Maps Leads + Website Audit for Agencies](https://apify.com/centorprat/google-maps-leads-website-audit): local businesses from Google Maps audited for website, Google profile, reviews, booking and tracking gaps: scored, explained leads with phone and emails.
- [FEMA Flood Zone & Property Risk API - Zillow/Redfin Enricher](https://apify.com/centorprat/fema-flood-zone-property-risk): FEMA flood zone + 18-hazard FEMA risk index + neighborhood demographics per US address, or for a whole Zillow/Redfin dataset.
- [Domain Lookup API - DNS, MX, SPF, Tech & Contact Emails](https://apify.com/centorprat/domain-lookup-dns-mx-email): DNS + live homepage → IPs, MX/SPF, tech, socials and public contacts per domain.
- [Wikipedia & Wikidata API - Entity Facts, Summary & Pageviews](https://apify.com/centorprat/wikipedia-wikidata-api): Wikipedia + Wikidata + pageviews → one structured brief per company, person or place.
- [Country Economic Data API - World Bank GDP, FX & Holidays](https://apify.com/centorprat/world-bank-country-economic-data): World Bank + FX + public holidays → one market brief per country.
- [Weather, Air Quality & Earthquake Risk API by Location](https://apify.com/centorprat/weather-air-quality-earthquake-api): live weather + air quality + earthquakes → one clear/caution/hazard verdict per point, worldwide.
- [NARA Catalog Extractor](https://apify.com/centorprat/nara-catalog-extractor): US National Archives catalog search → digital-object download URLs + metadata.

# Actor input Schema

## `latitude` (type: `number`):

Latitude of the point to watch, in decimal degrees. Example: 40.4936 (north is positive, south negative).

## `longitude` (type: `number`):

Longitude of the point to watch, in decimal degrees. Example: -3.5668 (east is positive, west negative).

## `radiusNm` (type: `integer`):

How far out to look, 1-250 NM (250 NM is about 460 km, the data source maximum).

## `category` (type: `string`):

Filter by classification. 'unidentified' = transmitting but with no registration/type/callsign (what appears as N/A on public trackers); 'military' = detected by hex block, callsign prefix, type code, or the feed's military flag.

## `onlyApproaching` (type: `boolean`):

If true, return only aircraft that are getting closer to the center (closest point of approach is nearer than their current distance).

## `inboundAlertKm` (type: `integer`):

An aircraft is flagged inbound=true if it will pass within this many km of the center.

## `inboundMinutes` (type: `integer`):

...and will do so within this many minutes from now.

## `maxResults` (type: `integer`):

Optional cap on how many aircraft to return.

## `webhookUrl` (type: `string`):

If set and this run matches aircraft, the results are POSTed here as JSON. Pair with a schedule + filters (e.g. category = military_or_unidentified, onlyApproaching = true) to be notified only when something is inbound. Works with Zapier/Make/n8n/custom endpoints.

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "latitude": 40.4936,
  "longitude": -3.5668,
  "radiusNm": 150,
  "category": "all",
  "onlyApproaching": false,
  "inboundAlertKm": 10,
  "inboundMinutes": 12
}
```

# Actor output Schema

## `aircraft` (type: `string`):

Live aircraft near the center point, each with computed approach (closest-point-of-approach distance + ETA), bearing, and military / unidentified classification.

# API

You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup.

## JavaScript example

```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';

// Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
// Replace the '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
    token: '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>',
});

// Prepare Actor input
const input = {
    "latitude": 40.4936,
    "longitude": -3.5668
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("centorprat/aircraft-tracker-adsb").call(input);

// Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any)
console.log('Results from dataset');
console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
items.forEach((item) => {
    console.dir(item);
});

// 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs

```

## Python example

```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient

# Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
# Replace '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_API_TOKEN>")

# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = {
    "latitude": 40.4936,
    "longitude": -3.5668,
}

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("centorprat/aircraft-tracker-adsb").call(run_input=run_input)

# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print(f"💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/{run.default_dataset_id}")
for item in client.dataset(run.default_dataset_id).iterate_items():
    print(item)

# 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start

```

## CLI example

```bash
echo '{
  "latitude": 40.4936,
  "longitude": -3.5668
}' |
apify call centorprat/aircraft-tracker-adsb --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "type": "http",
            "url": "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch-actor-details,centorprat/aircraft-tracker-adsb"
        }
    }
}
```

The hosted server signs you in with OAuth on first connect, so no API token belongs in this config. Clients without OAuth support can send an `Authorization: Bearer <APIFY_API_TOKEN>` header instead, using a token from API & Integrations in Apify Console (https://console.apify.com/settings/integrations).

## OpenAPI specification

Download the OpenAPI definition: https://api.apify.com/v2/actors/ZSleeKKawyhDImWUu/builds/SPqEteJdkbMMaWi50/openapi.json